I am a watercolour visual artist and instructor living and working in Victoria, BC, Canada. This medium was introduced to me after a period of ill health, and since has developed into a passion.Please visit often and follow me.

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Friday, December 31, 2010

I love this one..."Opportunity Knocks"...Knock on the old wood water stained door, turn the wobbly knob and the door shall be open. When I saw this door knob, the age, the textures, the water-droplets... I wanted to try and recreate it with paint. And the idea of opportunity knocking is fortuitous at this time in my art career, lots of great things are happening for me.I originally painted this door handle with the idea that there would be a second painting of the key to open the door. However, while painting "Opportunity Knocks" I realize that the painting itself may lead viewers to the understanding that they are the key.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

I wasn't expecting such a quick response but I recently got word that I have been juried into the Vancouver Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. This is the next step in getting my work recognized by my peers and hopefully by a wider audience. This certification allows me to enter into several new shows each year, and I can start working on my signature status with the FCA. I am very proud of this recent accomplishment. Not sure why I didn't do it sooner. Thanks to everyone who supported me through this process.

Beginning January 10, 2011 I will be teaching several classes and workshops at the Monterey Centre in Oak Bay. Beginning Watercolours Jan10-Feb 28Painting the wet Coast Jan 13-Mar3Under the Sea March 17-April 7thWatercolour Skies may 5- June 23Beginning Portraits May 9-June 27Painting your Pet July 4-8Beaches and Driftwood August 15-19

Monday, December 27, 2010

I was at a Christmas party a few weeks ago, and I met Chris. Chris is coordinating the artists that will attend the International Iris Convention that will be held here in Victoria in the spring. Chris asked me if I was interested in submitting some art for evaluation to be able to display and sell my art at the convention. So this painting was my inspiration to get into the Iris show. I hope you like it and i hope Chris likes it too...I have two others on the go in watercolour. I will put them up as soon as they are finished.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

This painting was inspired when I saw an image of this vessel on a friends facebook page. While visiting the area I was able to visit the site on the banks of the Fraser River where this vessel sits neglected. The sun was shining across the bow and with the reflection in the water and the mist in the background...I couldn't resist...I had to paint it...Hope you like it.

I painted this during a class I was invited to sit in on with Leslie Redhead. The class painted this landscape as well...unfortunately I had to leave before they were completed so I was unable to get images of their finished paintings...but here is my interpretation. Hope you enjoy it.

Finally, I got back to painting Darlene...I had put this painting away some time ago..I think I was hesitant to finish it...maybe because I was afraid I wouldn't capture her spirit. Chelsea the daughter Dar left behind after a 3+ year battle with Cancer has given me the high sign...phew. I'm so glad she likes it, I really wanted to capture her Mom's spirit; Dar was far too young to pass on, and now not only will she be remembered in our memories, but her likeness has been captured in this portrait, and will live on long after we are all gone.

This watercolour was inspired by a day at Willow's Beach in Victoria. Elsie, my mother-in-law and I were sitting enjoying the afternoon sun and the beautiful cool breeze that hot summer's day. We spent the afternoon watching the children come and go, frolicking without a care. This particular young girl took my eye, and i snapped a picture of her pouring the water on the beach while the Bonaparte gull looked on.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

DESCRIPTION: Learn the fundamentals of realism in drawing and painting horses in oils. Learn to create and use the 'horse drawing grid' for proportioned drawings then step-by-step create paintings in oils. Enjoy a live sketching session at local stables. Workshop focuses on sound drawing of horse anatomy, colour planning and panel design. Features demos, hands-on drawing and painting, one-on-one, critiques, handouts and talks.

DURATION: 3 days (18 hrs)

TIMES: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMNovember 26-28

I am very excited to be working with Ken Campbell again later this month, when I will be participating in his Equine Studies Workshop. Anyone interested in taking this class please check Ken's website

Monday, November 1, 2010

BEFORE:DURING:AFTER: I just spent 5 days in an Italia Style Drawing Class with Artist Ken Campbell. The class was amazing. Learned sooo much...his style of teaching is very one on one and he takes 3-5 students on at most. In this class there were 3, so the individual attention was plentiful, and greatly appreciated. We learned from cast and still life to start and the last 2 days was all figurative work ending with a full day of drawing from a live model.

I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to gain some experience in drawing from life. It is 5 intense 8 hour days of standing in front of your easel, and is not for the faint of heart. Critiques are done after each session of drawing and are most useful. If you are interested in learning more about Ken's work or his classes please check out his website

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Glenn my husband, and I just got back from East Sooke Park a few hours ago. We thought we'd take advantage of one of the last fantastic days of summer, and check out the phenomenon of the birds of prey circling to get catch a thermal current to get across the strait as they start their migration south. While there and on the way, I got some of the best shots for upcoming paintings...I am so excited to get started.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My family and friends were my priority while visiting back home I was there for almost three weeks. Unfortunately, my paintings were only brought out twice to work on, and having a deadline of September 12, did not allow me to finish any of them in time to put into the Sidney Show. As disappointing as that was, I realised after some reflection and positive input by my hubby...there is always next year. I painted throughout the day when i got back, and was very uptight trying to meet the deadline. My Glenn is such a doll and so pragmatic...he was the one who suggested not trying to kill myself to get it in on time, a rushed job usually shows.

So, my next step...putting paintings in a roaming gallery through the Coast Collective. And that is exciting.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I am so excited, i just checked out my visitations to my site and i cannot believe the exposure I am getting. People are visiting from all over the world, from Kampala in the Congo, to Britain to Jakarta, Indonesia and all across the US and Canada. Amazing!Thank you all so much for visiting my site. I do hope you are enjoying my work, and that you will visit often. Please feel free to leave comments, ask questions or send me an email. Take good care.Kind Regards,Sam

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The 2010 Sidney Fine Art Show will be held October 15th – 17th at the Bodine Family Hall at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Presented by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula, this Show is a world-class juried art show for serious artists and patrons of the arts. The Sidney Fine Art Show has become one of, if not the, largest and most anticipated shows in British Columbia. The Show is also a highlight on the cultural calendar of Vancouver Island. I will be submitting a couple of paintings for adjudication. I need to work very hard on my next few paintings. Wish me diligence, and a little luck. :)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

I was just notified that 2 pieces of my work will be exhibited at the Critters and Creatures Show at the Coast Collective from August 5th - Aug 22nd, The two pieces are: Annas' Perch, and Symbol of Peace II. Both are 11x14 watercolour on 300 lb Fine Art paper. The address for the CC is: 3221 Heatherbell Rd, Victoria, BC, V9C 1Y8. I hope you will be able to attend.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

I arrived on Monday evening. Once on the road I started to relax...I knew I was only another hour or so to paradise. I began work on Tuesday, and worked most of that day and into the morning of the next to complete Annas' Perch. A painting of an Annas hummingbird that is entered into the Coast Collective: Critters and Creatures Show coming up in a few weeks. The second painting I entered is Symbol of Peace II. The original Symbol of Peace was so popular I decided to paint another one for this show.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

I left for Esquimalt yesterday and picked up my friend Leslie on the way. We arrived at the Gallery just before 2pm. The reception was just beginning. Many artists were in attendance. Two of my pieces were on display, so i was a bit nervous. The room was buzzing at the quality of the art. I received several compliments which seemed to bolster my confidence a little. After hobnobbing for a while (lol) we headed down to Esquimalt Lagoon for a gab session and picture taking. Many great shots later we headed back home. I spent the evening painting and watching Bridges of Madison County in the background. What a great film, and a poignant love story.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Day 2 down, what a day...it was surreal...wait til you see the pics of this place. We went to a mansion down on Ardmore; right on the water on Finlyson Arm, (this home was recently featured in Western Living magazine). What a place. Surreal, as I said...Heavens how much money does one need to have to build a 17 million$ home.Around 2:30 pm David gave us a tour of the house. Inlaid floors, Granite counter tops, 2 laundry rooms, kareoke room, games room, theatre, wine cellar, 2 libraries, it was endless; and the exterior had granite paths, marble and jade fountains, an infinity pool...and with the roses in full bloom it was ...quite something. The folks that own this are from Edmonton, and although extremely wealthy they were very down to earth, and very gracious hosts.The sun was beating down on us, I started 2 paintings, and we had a lovely time... it was 'simply gorgeous dawling'. Now back to reality...and a tall cool glass of water out on the deck of our most humble abode. :-)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

The stolen portfolio was found in a dumpster close to the office in which the incident happened. All but a few paintings were recovered. Michele Mikala Ross sends her thanks and gratitude for all the well wishes and postulates for a speedy return.

Looking forward to a 3 day workshop next week with Greg Swainson. A Victoria artist, his work is done on rough paper with a much darker palette than I'm used to, but the affects are great check out his work

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

This tool is great...finally I have one place where i can blog about my art and it gets networked to my art page on FB and my personal page and even twitter. It was a bit complicated to set up, only because I missed a vital step, then got caught in a loop. But it was worth it...it works great. love it love it love it!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I thought I could substitute a painting for one that may be sold...but too bad...I guess it does not work that way...new to this process...so my hummingbird may be entered into the Sidney Fine Arts Show. Which reminds me got to get that app in asap...tomorrow for sure.

Wow, what an experiencce. We visited 4 cities outside of El Molino Del Conde. All were a painter's dream. Our accomodations were amazing...anyone interested in this type of excursion definitely check out http://www.flavourofspain.net

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Today, I had the pleasure of subbing for Leslie Redhead Watercolour Class. It was a delightful group...had a great time with all the students. Thanks to Leslie for the opportunity, and I hope to get the chance to do it again sometime.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Check out this website for some great information if you visit the Hudson River Fellowship, you can download a pdf file with great info on light and water by Sir Bart Montagu Pollock. Or go direct at the following link:

I happened upon this article quite by chance. It has some very valuable information for an artist wanting to learn more about painting water. The author Sir Bart Montagu Pollock, offers us the scientific explanation of why water reflects light, however he explains it in such a way that the layman can understand. I hope you will find the article helpful, it is lengthy but is broken down into 4 chapters. Please visit the link

Today, I signed up with Leslie Redhead's group for critiques in Victoria, BC. It has a great bunch of artists that meet once a week to paint together and provide feedback t o each other on our work. If you happen upon this and want to join in. Contact Leslie Redhead at leslie@leslieredheadart.com

Monday, May 3, 2010

The 34 page report represents the culmination of about 18 month’s effort, which we hope make a difference for artists and art marketing. The results cover the Who, What, Where, When and Why of visual fine art sales, mostly from Canadian buyers inputs, but with general applicability we believe to art markets everywhere. The report investigates opinions and marketing demographics of the typical visitor likely to come to an art venue.

Improving marketing and sales strategies are our overall goal. The highlights on pages 3 to 5 cover most of the reports findings and marketing implications. The details are presented on pages 6 to 34 to help you look more deeply at what was learned, and enable more understanding.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Thanks to my friend Leslie Redhead she has inspired me to market myself.

Over the last week, I started using the obvious tool to market my artwork...dah...the internet. Why didn't I think of it sooner. Oh, I had my personal Facebook page for close family and friends, and some of my artwork on my photos page, but it wasn't getting my artwork out there for all to see...and it is important to increase your profile.

Each of these platforms has its benefits the biggest one being exposure.

As the trend for internet sales ever increases, many people turn to the internet for help. just as you would get a recipe for free, many of the marketing tools are free. The down side is they take a lot of time to maintain...which ultimately means less time to paint.

But for those of us who want to increase our exposure and don't mind putting the time in...there are may "internet" options available...

About Me

I am a fine art watercolourist and instructor living and working in Victoria, BC. Born in Fredericton New Brunswick in 1960, Sam Boehner moved to the west coast in 1992. After finishing a degree in Biology at the University of Victoria and a long career in fisheries management Sam began painting in late 2007. This new-found passion was a way into self-discovery and relaxation.